The question of the transportation of American troops in slow convoys of 11-1/2 knots, was mentioned at the conference this morning. The 1st Sea Lord was much disturbed by a telegram from Mr. Guthrie1 transmitting a dispatch from Mr. Graham Thompson (?)2 regarding the American attitude which so far as I could gather seemed to require that the Admiralty give some definite guarantee of the safety of troops in such convoys. The statement received was that no such guarantee could be given; that the only protection that could be afforded to the slow convoys was the protection accorded to cargo convoys. Admiral Duff3 stated that it was his opinion that this protection was not adequate for troop convoys, but that the matter was one for the War Cabinet to decide.

The 1st Sea Lord was of the opinion that Mr. Graham Thompson (?) had disobeyed the orders he had received from the 1st Sea Lord and Admiral Duff. Admiral Duff did not think that this was the case but that Mr. Graham Thompson (?) had mixed matters up in the escort question without authority. The matter rested there with the decision that the whole question would be taken up with you on your return which I stated would be about Monday.4